Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
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State Highway 6 30 km north of Haast, Lake Moeraki, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7842 New Zealand
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Pool & Beach (42)
Room & Suite (42)
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What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitized in high-temperature wash
- Hand sanitizer available to guests & staff
- Stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
Updated 02/04/21 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Updated 02/04/21 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.8
Value
4.4
Discover wilderness in comfort and style at New Zealand's premier nature lodge. Established by dedicated conservationists, Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki offers an experience like no other. Walk from your room into a natural paradise of ancient rainforest, kayak pristine lakes and explore rugged coastline. Enjoy fresh local food, fine wine, and warm hospitality. Join naturalist guides to discover spectacular wild landscape and search for penguins, seals, and other rare wildlife in the heart of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Canoeing
Hiking
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Highchairs available
Conference facilities
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Wine / champagne
Fishing
Walking tours
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
First aid kit
Clothes dryer
Self-serve laundry
Washing machine
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Room features
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Location
Full view
40Car recommended
Grade: 40 out of 100
0Restaurantswithin 5 miles
2Attractionswithin 5 miles
Contact
State Highway 6 30 km north of Haast, Lake Moeraki, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7842 New Zealand
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318Reviews3Q+A64Room tips
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We have just spent 3 nights with Gerry & the team at Lake Moeraki. A great experience in a remote and untouched corner of NZ that we thoroughly enjoyed - from the lush bush to the harsh coast it is a wonderland, untrammelled by human intervention. And after visiting the wilderness there is the comfort of a luxurious lodge,with a warm welcome, informed and informative staff, plus great food and service. Absolutely top class.
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Date of stay: April 2022
Location
Service
Room Tip: Rooms 1, 2 & 3 have lovely views to the river across the lawn
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Helpful
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki is set in a stunning native forest ecoscape beside the lake and peaceful Moeraki river outlet. Gerry, Anne and Darren were superb and attentive hosts over the five days we stayed there, taking us out to explore new highlights every day. Gerry is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and knowledgeable eco guides, and he bought the native forest, wildlife, beaches and history of the area to life for us. Our accomodation and the main lodge were great, kayaking on the river and lake was memorable and fun, and the food prepared for us each day by Kim was always first class. We cannot recommend Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki more highly to anyone who wants to experience South Westland’s unspoiled natural environment at its best.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Traveled
Helpful
The Wilderness Lodge is like a micro-USA National Park minus the vending machines and traffic. Gerry is the Park Ranger (and hydro-power station manager), he is a real character. We stayed 3 nights which allowed time for the changeable West Coast weather and to enjoy the surroundings. Accommodation - Our river-view room was nice. Lovely outlook, clean, well maintained with a light, modern bathroom, mini-fridge and kettle. The lodge is an older building but is v comfortable. The complimentary washing machine, dryer, laundry powder and drying room were super-handy. Food and drink - Don't bother bringing supplies unless you fancy a sneaky wine or beer in your room. Meals were delicious, plentiful and the chef was accommodating about food preferences . The wine was excellent and, despite the isolated location, cheaper than the same bottles in Wellington restaurants. Guided tours - Do them all and definitely the 1/2 day penguin tour Sept-Nov. We were really chuffed with the Oamaru blue penguin colony in the days prior, so were a tough audience. But the penguin tour with Darren blitzed our expectations. The complimentary tours - we did the rainforest, eels, glow worms and kayaks - were excellent. Gerry was entertaining and knowledgeable, his bird call is oddly effective (tried it at home, only the cat looked up) and he kindly rejigged tours around the weather. Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki was the highlight of our trip, it has a really nice vibe - enjoy Gerry's stories and tours, explore the walking trails, and read books in the lounge during the West Coast rain. Very highly recommended!…
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Date of stay: November 2021
Helpful
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded Jan 22, 2022
Thanks for sharing Hataitans, It's great you were able to make the most of everything the Wilderness Lodge offers. It made our day to hear that your time with us was the highlight of your trip! Kind Wishes, The Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki Team - Anne, Gerry, Darren & Kim
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What an extraordinary experience of all that is so unique about New Zealand. Here you are nestled in the embrace of an ancient forest, on the shores of a shimmering lake, and hosted by the incomparable Gerry McSweeney - an eco warrior who has done so much to protect this part of New Zealand and enhance our understanding of its special qualities. With partner Ann and excellent help from Darren (and Mitsi?), you are superbly looked after in great comfort, allowing you to indulge in the flora and fauna treats of this magical world. It's all here; the towering 1000 year old rimu and kahikatea, the beautiful Fiordland crested penquin, ruru and the dawn chorus of bellbird and tui. Thanks for sharing this place Gerry and Ann and for your hard mahi to make it one of the most wonderful places I have ever visited. I will return.…
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Date of stay: October 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded Jan 22, 2022
Dear MikeyJas, Thanks for your review. We feel very lucky to call Lake Moeraki home and delight in sharing our special part of New Zealand with visitors. It's great to know our guests appreciate the magic of the place too! Kind wishes, Dear MikeyJas, Thanks for your review. We feel very lucky to call Lake Moeraki home and delight in sharing our special part of New Zealand with visitors. It's great to know our guests appreciate the magic of the place too! Kind wishes, The Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki Team - Anne, Gerry, Darren & Kim
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We spoke to a few people about Wilderness Lodge prior to going and had a general expectation on what was in store. Very good accommodation - not super luxury but really comfortable with good amenities and very much fitting the wilderness feel. Food was again - not the flamboyant degustation menus of many lodges but it was very good, well presented and plentiful. The most impressive aspect was having three days where the time seemed to vanish as we explored some of the most amazing forests, beaches, wetlands, rivers and lakes anywhere on the planet. Gerry was the most knowledgeable and passionate guide imaginable. Walks - literally from the door of our room were breathtaking. Stargazing into the milky way at night was incredible and only distracted by glowworms hanging in the mosses and lighting up trees. Kayaking from the front of the lodge on mirror-like water was magical as waterbirds, fish and towering trees held us spellbound. We will be back..…
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Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: See if you can get a River View room - worth it!
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Before I arrived at the lodge I had no idea what to expect. To say I was blown away an understatement, this as a unique experience, the service, food, environment, as good as we have ever experienced. We loved everything about our 3 day stay. From the trip to feed the eels, on our first night, the kayak trip across Lake Moeraki, the walk to Monroe Beach. Awesome. The 3 day package included all meals, and Jerry and Ann looked after us brilliantly. I was so glad I had brought my camera with long lens as photos of birds, amazing wilderness forest will be remembered for the rest of my life.
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Date of stay: March 2021
Helpful
This isolated spot is magical. The staff are incredible. Gerry’s knowledge and quirky sense of humour made this an outstanding experience. Anne, Gerry & Darren went out of their way to make our stay wonderful. Jamie is a sensational chef. Thanks heaps
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Traveled
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Staying at the Moeraki Wilderness Lodge was the highlight of our recent holiday to the South Island. The serenity of the setting, the amazing food, the guided bush walks with Gerry, and the comfort of the rooms all stand out as features we remember. The native bush walk through pristine forest to the secluded beach was a highlight for my husband. Feeding the eels with Gerry was what my daughter will remember. I loved the kayaking on the still waters of Lake Moeraki. Highly recommend this as a holiday destination.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Helpful
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded Feb 4, 2021
Kia ora Victoria and thanks for taking the time to post a review, We're so glad you enjoyed your Wilderness Lodge experience. During these uncertain times in our industry, we still delight in sharing this special place with people who appreciate the remarkable local landscape and wildlife as well as the lodge's hospitality. We'd love to host you and your family again one day. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders and Gerry McSweeney Owner-Directors
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We had returned for a second visit as we enjoyed the first visit so much.We enjoyed the wildlife experience very much. The penguins and bird life were amazing. . The setting is amazing. So peaceful . Anne ,Jerry,Darren and Jamie were very attentive . Nothing was too much trouble. Food was amazing.So much to see. We will go back again.
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Date of stay: November 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Rain forest room .
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Helpful
Response from Wilderness Lodges of New Zealand, Owner at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded Feb 4, 2021
Thanks for sharing Peter, We love hosting return guests and we are glad you enjoyed your latest visit. See you again soon. Kind wishes, Anne Saunders and Gerry McSweeney Owner-Directors
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+1
We had an amazing stay at the lodge. Gerry, Anne, Darren and Jamie the chef were all very welcoming and nothing was too much bother. The location is beautiful, the walks are fun and the guided Penguin walk was the highlight. We saw 13 Penguins and Gerry is a great guide. We were also lucky to see the space X on our night walk. We saw dolphins twice and the weather was great. The food is fantastic. The rooms, lounge bar etc are all lovely and the grounds are a treat with plenty of birdlife. No overseas travel at the moment but we have amazing places like this to visit so come on kiwi's go and visit these guys you won't regret it.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The riverview rooms are lovely.
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Michael McSweeney, Other at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Responded Nov 2, 2020
Thanks so much for sharing your experience Russell, We love sharing our special our special corner of New Zealand with guests and it still gives us a buzz hearing from people like yourselves who appreciate what we offer. We absolutely agree there has never been a better time for Kiwis to visit Lake Moeraki and discover their remarkable backyard. Kind Wishes, The Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki Team - Anne, Gerry, Darren & Jamie
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ALSO KNOWN AS
wilderness lodge lake moeraki hotel lake moeraki
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast RegionWestland Tai Poutini National ParkLake Moeraki
NUMBER OF ROOMS
28
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Which popular attractions are close to Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki?
Nearby attractions include Knights Point Lookout (1.1 miles) and Monro Beach (0.05 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Is Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.07 miles away from the center of Lake Moeraki.
Are any cleaning services offered at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki?
Yes, self serve laundry and a clothes dryer are offered to guests.
Does Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki offer any business services?
Yes, guests have access to meeting rooms and conference facilities during their stay.
Does Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.
Is Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.